ARC ENERGY IDEAS

ARC ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Join Peter Tertzakian and Jackie Forrest from the ARC Energy Research Institute as they explore trends that influence the energy business, including financial, political, environmental, technological, social and economic forces.

  1. 6h ago ·  Video

    Election Updates and a Conversation with Jigar Shah at ETC

    This week on the podcast, Peter and Jackie review the latest election news, including the BC election, which produced a Conservative majority government over the weekend, and the Alberta referendum, including the question on separation.  Jackie then shares highlights from the Electricity Transformation Canada conference in Toronto, an annual event developed by the Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA), including a conversation with Jigar Shah for the podcast. Jigar hosts the Energy Empire and Open Circuit podcasts. His previous roles include Director of the US Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office, Co-Founder and President of Generate Capital, and Founder and CEO of SunEdison.  Jackie and Jigar cover a range of topics, including the pace of the energy transition, the impact of disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, electric vehicle adoption, the outlook for emerging clean energy technologies, and Jigar’s views on how data centres can be built more intelligently.  Content referenced in this podcast:  Electricity Transformation Canada (CanREA conference) BC Conservatives Plan for a Stronger BC (2026) BC Energy Superpower Plan: Build More Faster (September 2026) Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/ Check us out on social media: X (Twitter): @arcenergyinst LinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research Institute Subscribe to ARC Energy Ideas Podcast Apple Podcasts Amazon Music Spotify YouTube YouTube Music

  2. Oct 20 ·  Video

    Oil Markets, Diesel, Canadian Heavy Discounts and Pipelines

    In this week's podcast, Peter and Jackie discuss global oil and diesel markets, the government’s role in major infrastructure projects, including the Pacific Link pipeline, and widening Canadian heavy oil discounts.  Escalating conflict in the Middle East has raised oil prices and renewed concerns over supply. Wars in the Middle East and Russia have also constrained refining capacity, tightening diesel supplies. With affordability and the US midterm elections in focus, Peter and Jackie discuss President Trump’s efforts to lower diesel prices. For now, the prospect of a US diesel export ban has receded. On October 15, the IEA announced plans to release 20 million barrels of diesel, while Trump agreed to purchase a relatively small volume of diesel from Russia, raising concerns about broader sanctions relief without concessions on the war in Ukraine.   Next, they discuss Peter’s article in The Hub, “Why Canada must put public dollars behind big infrastructure.” He argues that conventional financial analysis undervalues infrastructure’s generational benefits, including energy security, market access and economic sovereignty, which can extend over 50 to 100 years and may only be fully recognized by governments.  Finally, they examine the roughly US$26/B spot discount for WCS relative to WTI, driven by Western Canadian pipelines nearing capacity, Venezuelan competition in the US Gulf Coast (USGC), and high tanker rates that make re-exports of Canadian oil from the USGC costly. These discounts underscore the value of additional West Coast oil pipeline capacity.  Content referenced in this podcast:  The IEA October 15 statement on releasing over 20 million barrels of diesel as soon as possible. Morningstar, “Surging Middle East Shipping Costs Widen Global Oil Price Gaps, Goldman Says” (Oct 13, 2026) The Hub, Peter Tertzakian, “Why Canada must put public dollars behind big infrastructure.” (October 9, 2026) Reuters, “Soaring freight rates threaten Asia's appetite for US Crude” (October 8, 2026) Studio.Energy, “Latest Developments in Canada’s Market Hostage Situation” (October 9, 2026) Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/  Check us out on social media:  X (Twitter): @arcenergyinst LinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research Institute  Subscribe to ARC Energy Ideas Podcast Apple Podcasts Amazon Music Spotify YouTube YouTube Music

  3. Oct 6 ·  Video

    Bill C-39 and Canada’s Regulatory Alphabet Soup: Former CER CEO Gitane De Silva Explains

    This podcast is also available as a video on YouTube  The federal government introduced Bill C-39 (Building Canada Strong Act) on September 21, 2026. The bill aims to complete project reviews in one year, with a single window for proponents, rather than requiring them to deal with multiple federal and provincial agencies. Business stakeholders have responded positively to the draft legislation.  This week on the podcast, our guest is Gitane De Silva, Founder & President of GDStrategic, Executive Director of the Peter Lougheed School of Politics and Democracy at the University of Alberta, and former CEO of the Canada Energy Regulator (CER).  Gitane helps us understand the proposed regulatory process, how it compares with the fast-track process under Bill C-5 (which the new Pacific Link, formerly known as the West Coast Oil Pipeline, will follow), and the process established under Bill C-69, famously called the “No New Pipelines Bill.” She also explains the roles of the various agencies involved, depending on the type of project being reviewed.  Content referenced in this podcast:  The Alberta Government’s website on the Pacific Link oil pipeline (formerly known as West Coast Oil Pipeline) The Government of Canada's background document on Bill C-39 The full text of Bill C-39 The Hub.com article by Sean Speer “Carney’s moves on building and labour are an outright rejection of Trudeau economics” (Sept 26) CBC “Facing criticism, Carney says he has a 'very clear mandate' to push through major economic changes (Sept 22) Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/  Check us out on social media:  X (Twitter): @arcenergyinst LinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research Institute  Subscribe to ARC Energy Ideas Podcast Apple Podcasts Amazon Music Spotify YouTube YouTube Music

  4. Sep 29 ·  Video

    The Battery Race: A Conversation with Bob Galyen

    This week, we recorded the podcast at the Energy Disruptors: UNITE conference in Calgary. Our guest, Bob Galyen, is one of the top executives in the battery energy storage world and the former Chief Technology Officer of CATL. He now serves on boards in the emerging U.S. battery sector and owns Galyen Energy.  Battery technology has advanced significantly over the past decade, enabling EV adoption and backing up wind and solar power generation. New battery chemistries promise even greater utility, including longer duration, faster charging, and lower costs.  In their conversation with Bob, Peter and Jackie explore a wide range of topics, including new battery chemistries and Bob’s five golden rules of electrification: safety, performance, lifetime, cost, and environment. They also discuss the geopolitics of batteries and China’s dominance in the sector, including how the Chinese government supported the battery industry’s development. The conversation contrasts China’s approach with that of the United States, which is developing a domestic battery industry to reduce reliance on China for these critical materials and technologies. Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/  Check us out on social media:  X (Twitter): @arcenergyinst LinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research Institute  Subscribe to ARC Energy Ideas Podcast Apple Podcasts Amazon Music Spotify YouTube YouTube Music

  5. Sep 15

    A Bullish Outlook for Canadian and U.S. Natural Gas

    This podcast is also available as a video on Youtube  This week on the podcast, our guest is Dulles Wang, Director of Americas Gas and LNG Research at Wood Mackenzie. Dulles co-authored the report Defying Gravity: Why U.S. Henry Hub Natural Gas Prices Are Set to Rise. He is also bullish on the longer-term outlook for Alberta natural gas prices (AECO).  The report comes as natural gas prices in the United States and Canada are depressed by abundant supply, especially in Canada, combined with an outlook for very warm winter weather.  Here are some of the questions Jackie and Peter asked Dulles: After years of low natural gas prices and abundant supply, why do you expect prices to rise? Is there a risk that supply could surprise again and continue growing fast enough to keep pace with demand growth, despite low prices? How do warmer winters affect the outlook, given that they appear to be becoming more common, including expectations for this upcoming winter? What is your outlook for Alberta natural gas prices and Canadian LNG exports? This has been a big year for M&A involving U.S. shale gas assets, with a new group of buyers that includes Abu Dhabi’s ADNOC, Saudi Aramco, and Japanese companies. What is driving this trend, and do you expect it to come to Canada?  Content referenced in this podcast:  Mark Carney Forward Guidance: A Stronger Canada video (September 8, 2026) Wood Mackenzie report, Defying gravity: Why US Henry Hub natural gas prices are set to rise (July 2026) FT article, Scramble for gas assets pushes dealmaking to a decade high (August 30, 2026) Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/  Check us out on social media:  X (Twitter): @arcenergyinst LinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research Institute  Subscribe to ARC Energy Ideas Podcast Apple Podcasts Amazon Music Spotify

  6. Sep 8

    Canada’s Growing LPG Trade with Asia: A Conversation with Vern Yu

    This week on the podcast, our guest is Vern Yu, President and CEO of AltaGas. AltaGas operates a midstream business focused on processing, transporting and marketing hydrocarbons, including natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs), such as propane and butane. The company also operates natural gas utilities in four U.S. states.  Here are some of the questions Jackie and Peter asked Vern: Based on your experience, particularly in your previous role at Enbridge, how difficult was it to build oil pipelines in Canada historically, and are you optimistic that this is changing? How long has AltaGas been exporting liquefied petroleum gases (LPGs) from Prince Rupert, and how much will volumes grow once the new Ridley Island Energy Export Facility (REEF) is completed? How would you describe Asian demand for LPGs and Canada’s competitive position relative to the United States and the Middle East? Is the growth of AltaGas’s LPG business dependent on aggressive natural gas production growth in Western Canada? AltaGas distributes natural gas in several U.S. markets through your utilities, including Virginia, a hot spot for data-centre growth. What are your growth expectations for data centres, given the growing opposition in Virgina? As a company operating in both Canada and the United States, and even supplying natural gas to the White House, how is the U.S.-Canada trade war affecting your business?  Content referenced in this podcast:  Video of construction at Ridley Island Energy Export Facility (REEF) on LinkedIn  Enbridge Tour for Cancer (Register for 2027 and Donate) Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/  Check us out on social media:  X (Twitter): @arcenergyinst LinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research Institute  Subscribe to ARC Energy Ideas Podcast Apple Podcasts Amazon Music Spotify

  7. Sep 1

    Tariffs, Tankers, and Data Centre Tensions

    The podcast is back after the summer break! Peter and Jackie begin with the escalating U.S.–Canada trade war, including renewed calls to use Canadian energy exports as leverage by reducing exports or imposing tariffs. Both approaches would hurt Canada more than the United States. They also discuss Canada’s new counter-tariffs, which take effect on September 8.  Next, they examine oil markets as the Strait of Hormuz closes again. With tanker traffic low and difficult to track, and refined-product markets tight, uncertainty remains high, with risks seemingly skewed toward higher oil prices in the near term.  They also discuss growing opposition to data centres, including permitting pauses in several U.S. states and local concerns about Meta’s planned development in Sturgeon County, Alberta.  Peter and Jackie then review Canadian LNG and oil pipeline developments from over the summer.  Finally, Graeme Edge, founder and CEO of Energy Disruptors, joins the podcast to preview the conference taking place in Calgary on September 28 and 29.  Content referenced on this podcast:  CAPP Data Hub and the specific Data Book titled “Canadian Imports of U.S. Crude Oil, Natural Gas, and Refined Products”  ARC podcast on the Impacts of Tariffs on Canadian Oil and Gas from January 14, 2025  List of products from the United States subject to counter-tariffs effective September 8, 2026 - Canada.ca Calgary Herald article that Anthropic, maker of Claude, is looking to put boots on the Ground in Alberta (August 20, 2026) Alberta Premier Smith video on six common questions on AI data centers Montana Revokes Bridger Pipeline Waiver After Legal Challenge, Pipeline & Gas Journal, July 29, 2026 The Pipeline Comes First, Studio.Energy, August 25, 2026  Energy Disruptors conference information Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/  Check us out on social media:  X (Twitter): @arcenergyinst LinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research Institute  Subscribe to ARC Energy Ideas Podcast Apple Podcasts Amazon Music Spotify

4.4
out of 5
19 Ratings

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Join Peter Tertzakian and Jackie Forrest from the ARC Energy Research Institute as they explore trends that influence the energy business, including financial, political, environmental, technological, social and economic forces.

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